The Supreme Court will hear a petition against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar next week. The case relates to alleged disputes within the Election Commission.
The petition claims some Election Commission decisions lacked approval from both election commissioners. It especially raises questions over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process.
Petitioner Rakesh Kumar Singh filed the plea under Article 32 of the Constitution. The petition challenges the decision-making process and powers within the multi-member Election Commission.
Petition Raises Questions Over SIR Decisions
On Tuesday, senior advocate Vikas Singh requested early listing before the bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant. The court agreed to schedule the matter next week.
The petition seeks several actions, including suspension of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. It also highlights concerns about the Election Commission’s functioning.
According to the petition, the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners Act, 2023 contains rules about internal decisions. The plea states that responsibilities should follow consensus whenever possible.
However, it claims disagreements should lead to decisions through majority opinion. The petitioner alleges election commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi raised objections in at least 14 matters between October 2025 and August 2026.
The petition claims some actions occurred without approval from the full commission. It identifies SIR as the biggest issue among these matters.
The plea questions whether SIR represented the entire Election Commission’s decision. It asks whether the decision came only from the Chief Election Commissioner.
Petition Seeks Records And Independent Probe
The petition mentions objections related to Form-6 changes in July 2026. It claims applicants had to provide details about previous SIR voter lists.
The plea states Vivek Joshi objected to this change. It also claims Sukhbir Singh Sandhu later supported that objection.
Additionally, the petition highlights alleged disagreements over voter data management and access. It refers to SIR-related appeals from West Bengal.
The petition mentions around 16.10 lakh appeals. It claims these appeals involved voters added after judicial officers’ orders.
The petitioner questioned who allowed these appeals. The plea seeks original Election Commission documents, file notes, approvals, and records before the court.
Furthermore, the petitioner requested an independent judicial inquiry commission or special investigation team led by a retired Supreme Court judge. The plea also seeks protection of electronic and physical Election Commission records.
According to the petition, these records can reveal how and where disputed decisions were taken.
